LOCK Ed Holmes expects a tough test on Saturday when Plymouth Albion travel to Dry Leas to take on Henley Hawks in National One.
Albion are looking to make it three league wins a row after back-to-back victories against Cinderford and Blaydon.
Holmes played against Henley twice last season with Launceston, losing 32-22 at Polson Bridge and 29-28 at Dry Leas.
“They have come up this year,” said Holmes. “We played them twice last year and they are a physical side. They are also relatively established, so it’s going to be a good game.
“They have a strong fan base up there, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Holmes admits Albion’s away league victory at Blaydon last month, which was the club’s first on their travels in 19 months, has given the side confidence.
“It has,” said Holmes. “It’s given us a spring in our step and we are really looking forward to this weekend’s fixture. It’s just given us the confidence to go up there and play our game.”
He added: “The past few weeks have been really good. The team have been playing and training well and we are really looking forward to this weekend’s game.”
Holmes has started all Albion’s matches this season.
The 19-year-old University of Plymouth student, who is dual-registered from Exeter Chiefs, admitted he did not expect to start all the games after arriving at Albion in the summer.
“No, I didn’t,” said Holmes, who spent the whole of last term on-loan at Launceston. “Obviously being a new face coming into a new team you have to make a good first impression.
“A few of the boys from Launceston have come here, so there’s some familiar faces and it’s a good mix.”
“And there’s a really good team ethos here. It is a relatively young squad and we look up to our elders and respect them, but it’s a really tight squad and everyone gets along.”
On his goals for the rest of the season, Holmes said: “Obviously to get wins. Individual performances are belittled if the team lose. Ideally we are always looking for the win, however, it is about how the team performs on the day.”
England Student international Holmes may have started all Albion’s matches so far, but he is not taking anything for granted.
“You can never rest up and be complacent,” he said. “You are always on your toes and you just have to keep performing and keep training well and, hopefully, you’ll get the selection.”